‘Copiosa apud Eum Redemptio’ -the Redemptorist Motto. On the Feast of the Most Holy Redeemer, the Third Sunday of July each year, -and this year on July 15th- , a short reflection on the motto of the Redemptorists since the time of their founder, St. Alphonsus Liguori.
The phrase is taken from Psalm 130, v.7. and is often translated as ‘With Him is plentiful Redemption’. That is what Redemptorists are called to proclaim to the world,- the wonderful, generous, lavish redemption of our God.
‘Copiosa‘ means abundant, plentiful, prodigal, overflowing, lavish, princely,- and in Irish, ‘flaithiúil‘ meaning the quality of princely generosity and lavishness..
‘Apud Eum‘ is Latin for ‘With Him’,- ie. with God.
‘Redemptio‘, or Redemption,- setting free, healing, opening eyes, leading out of exile and slavery of any kind, leading home, lifting hearts, giving ‘life to the full’ (John 10.10).
‘Tá slánú fíor-flaithiúil i nDia!’ There is a truly princely liberation and wholeness from God.
Isn’t that worth proclaiming to all the world?
Seamus Devitt, C.Ss.R., Esker.
A Redemptorist Ireland Website